Do you know the christmas markets which are close to Zurich in Germany,Italy and Austria so I can drive easily and not need of plane?
Thanks,

Within this subforum, you will find several ideas, like:

Christmas Markets - when do they start?

Zibelemärit (Onion Market) Bern

Uster Märt - Uster Market ( Nov 24, 25 )

Shopping in Konstanz, Germany

Christmas events - Zurich

Xmas trip to Lugano

Bolzano Christmas Market - been there ? ( Sth Tyrol, IT )

There is a good one in Mullhouse in France which is a little over an hour from Zurich or if you want the Swiss version Basel has quite a well known onw

I can highly recommend Colmar - it's a bit further than Mulhouse but very romantic and magical (although it pains me to say that as a German

Also take a look here http://www.allgaeu-weihnachtsmarkt.de/

have you been to the Xmas market in Einsiedeln (CH). It is very nice and it starts 26.11-4.12.2011....even better, it is in Switzerland

I stil think the most authetic and best ones are in Germany-

Places close that are closest to Zurich by include

-Freiburg in Baden Wurtenburg
-Konstanz

http://www.christmas-markets-germany.de/

There is also one in Strasburg that is open even after Christmas in front of the Catherdral

I've been yesterday to both Freiburg and Bern markets, so you can do it by train with same ticket (1.40h to Freiburg from Zurich HB if the direct train).

Leave to do the proper shopping (if that is what you're going to do) in Freiburg which is really great prices (well, it's Germany!). And Basel is on the way back to Zurich anyway; it is bigger, but pricey than Freiburg and by the way, almost the same things. But great for visit as the decoration of the stands are very cute and creative.

A number of the replies have listed the good locations if you want to go a bit further there are even better ones. Train is normally the most you might need to consider

Munich (In this list it is either number 2 or 3 by ranking)
Stuttgart
Frankfurt
Konstanz (small and nice)
Mulhouse
Colmar (small but nice)
Strassbourg
Wurzburg (near Nurnburg)
Nurnburg (In this list Number 1 by ranking and by a considerable margin) We decided this year to go back to this one it is however a bit further away about 4 hours by car

Hi if anyone if interested there is a small christmas market today between 11:30 and 17:30 in the reformierte kirche in Enge, I have never been but the church has a wonderful ,view of the city and the market muss be nice

I went to the Basel market today. It was a lot of fun.
There are 3 different locations and many stands.

I hope to go to some more.

The Christmas markets in Konstanz opened last Saturday. It was very busy but so worth it!

http://www.germany-christmas-market....mas_market.htm

been to strasbourg last weekend, not knowing the xmess market kicks off.
i was nearly having a fit from those LED lights all over the place! the nice houses are ruined
being stuffed from the outside with gazillions of christmas tree decorations. besides you have
crepes and glühwein stands everywhere. so for xmas markt lovers: this is your mekka.

This is a pretty good list but I would like to add Innsbruck in Austria, as I think it is also within reasonable distance. Cute town with a nice market, but smallish.

By the way if you are only interested in the Chrismas market, Stuttgart is ok. Apparently it is one of the nicest and biggest in Europe, but apart from the market, the city has little to offer.

If it's about a nice cities with good shops/hotels/restaurants and decent Christmas markets, my votes would go to Munich, Strassbourg and Colmar (you can even combine the two on 1 day)

PS: I have never been to the Nurnberg and Frankfurt markets, as I think they are too far away, but since it is Wallabies' No. 1, I might have to give it a try. I have also heard good things about Heidelberg.

Hi guys

I found this website with all the larger Xmas markets in Switzerland and when they run

http://www.linker.ch/eigenlink/weihnachtsmarkt.htm

From the ones that have already started, which do you think is the best to visit today and which to avoid?

Thank you

Zurich is one of the more disappointing christmas markets. If you want to see something that is mainly crafts from around the world, repetitive and not really focussed on christmas then Zurich is what you go to.

If you want a real christmas market then the Zurich one will disappoint. I have been to it a few times as I work in Zurich and while it is nice layout it is really just commercial and after 10mins you are done.

Ok, so zurich will be avoided. I have been to the one in basel which i thought was excellent but its the only swiss one i have been to

Montreux is very nice but its the only Christmas market ive been to so i cant compare to anything. I see that the Geneva one is not on the list. Good because you cant really call a couple of huts selling gloves a Christmas market

We are going to Einsiedeln today, mainly to see the monastery, but it seems to be the last day of their Christmas market today. It will probably be quite crowded.

Not true!
There is a lots of markets around the city center...

i have also heard good things about Bassel. also, konstanz. its just in germany, about 1 1/2 hours on the train but also heard very nice things about that too. although, i have yet to actually visit them (i either climb or visit Konstanz this afternoon but not made up my mind just yet!)